154- FUTILE EFFORTS AT INSTRUCTION: 



scanty space for lodgings. The old gentleman provided 

 us with some nice fresh venison, which agreeably 

 assisted in economising our provisions, and in return 

 for all his attention we presented him with a butcher's 

 and a saddler's knife, and some tobacco ; his wife was 

 made happy by the acquisition of a looking-glass, a 

 string of beads and some needles. What treasures 

 were these ! the jewelled casket of the bride has not 

 more charms for her delighted gaze than these simple 

 presents to this primitive people. I assure you, dear 

 reader, it was a sweet and unalloyed pleasure to 

 witness the joyous transports of our simple-minded 

 friends upon the acquisition of such gifts. We tried 

 to instruct them too, to lead them to some idea of 

 worlds other than their own, of people abounding in 

 perfection of art and skill ; Religion's taper was lighted, 

 but the flame expired in its first breath, and our 

 labour of love was vain. After all these efforts, and 

 they were long continued, I had recourse to my faithful 

 copper fiddle, which, although now sorely bruised and 

 battered by its many trying peregrinations, never 

 refused to add its squeaking item to the general 

 amusement. 



The dialect spoken here was identical with that at 

 Oongwysac and Kay-gwan, being a distinct idiom to 

 that more generally employed. 



